World Umbrella Dance Celebrates Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry blossoms in bloom in Vancouver's Stanley Park. Photo by Sue Frause.

The seventh annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the return of spring to the BC city. It kicked off April 4 and runs through the end of the month, celebrating the blossoming of Vancouver's 40,000 cherry trees, which include 55 varieties.

On Saturday, April 13 from 1-3 PM, 500 dancers are expected to participate in the premiere of the World Umbrella Dance at the Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza. Choreographed by Bollywood super star Shimak Davar, the volunteer dancers will be wielding black, yellow and hot pink umbrellas* created by artist Anthony Redpath. Accompanying the dancers will be the drums of the Tetsu Taiko Percussion group.

Photo by Sue Frause

The World Umbrella Dance will move to the beat of Shiamak's new release, Shabop, meaning "to dance without worry and celebrate life." The theme is in keeping with the festival's fragile and fleeting cherry blossoms. Other events include Tree Talks and Walks; Plein-Air Blossom Painting ; Haiku Invitational; and Bike the Blossoms.

*If you'd like to purchase one of the World Umbrella Dance umbrellas, they're available for $24.99 online and at The Urban Tea Merchant and VanDusen Botanical Garden Shop.

Vancouver's False Creek from Granville Island. Photo by Sue Frause.